The Chatty Gal

Women's health & wellness

Elvi Casia

To Cut or Not to Cut: The C-Section Epidemic

To Cut or Not to Cut: The C-Section Epidemic

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What is a C-section? 

A Cesarean section (C-section) is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby through an incision in the abdomen through the uterus. C-sections can be a life-saving alternative to vaginal deliveries for mothers experiencing certain medical conditions or complications. Often, the need for a first-time C-section cannot be predicted until the mother actually goes into labor.

A brief history of C-sections

C-sections weren’t always a readily available procedure. Before the advancement of anesthesia and antisepsis, C-sections were considered a last resort. The concept of cutting into the abdomen of a mother to deliver a baby is not something that just emerged with modern medicine. C-sections had been crudely performed for centuries and it may even be considered the first surgical procedure in human history. The ancient Romans were the first to develop and document C-sections as a medical procedure. Contrary to popular belief, the procedure was not actually named after the emperor Julius Caesar who was reportedly delivered via a C-section. The term “caesarean” is actually derived from the latin word caesus meaning “to cut.”

Until relatively recently in human history, a C-section was usually not even considered until the mother was close to dying or already dead. The Romans actually had a written law called the Lex Caesaria that required the baby to be removed from the womb if the mother died during childbirth. In short, C-sections were not a procedure that a mother was expected to survive. If the baby made it out of the womb alive, they usually suffered severe and sometimes fatal complications.

With medical innovations and the legitimation of surgery as a field of practice in the 19th and 20th centuries, the C-section became a life-saving procedure rather than a life-ending one. Further, there has been a major shift from the home to the hospital as the place of birth over the past century, making C-sections readily available to most. An estimated 98.4% of babies in the United States are born in hospitals, making them the most common place of birth in the United States. Now C-sections can be safely used to proactively improve health outcomes for mothers and babies at the first sign of complications. 

Why are C-sections performed instead of vaginal deliveries? 

C-sections are one of the most commonly performed surgeries globally for a variety of reasons. Major improvements in the execution of this procedure have drastically lowered preventable causes of maternal mortality and infant mortality. 

  • Stalled labor: The cervix does not open enough for a successful deliver despite hours of strong contractions
  • The baby is in distress: The baby is not receiving adequate blood flow or oxygen during labor. This condition may even result in an early delivery if this occurs during the pregnancy. 
  • The baby is in an abnormal position: Babies in the uterus are normally positioned head-down with the chin tucked to the chest. During delivery, they enter the birth canal head first. If the baby’s feet or buttocks enter the birth canal first or if the baby is positioned sideways, a C-section is a safer approach to delivery. 

Source

  • Multiple babies are being delivered: When there is more than one baby in the womb, they may end up in an abnormal position.
  • Placenta previa: The placenta covers the opening of the cervix 
    • Prolapsed umbilical cord: Part of the umbilical cord slips through the cervix ahead of the baby
  •  Mechanical obstruction: If the birth canal is obstructed it is difficult to deliver a baby in a healthy condition. Some examples are fibroids, pelvic fractures, or an enlarged head of the baby. 
  • Pre-existing health conditions: C-sections are often recommended for mothers with severe heart or brain conditions. Mothers with an active gential herpes infection at the time of labor are also recommended C-sections. 
  • Previous C-sections: A vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is possible depending on the type of uterine incision used in the previous C-section and other underlying factors. Healthcare providers sometimes recommend a repeat C-section for mothers that don’t meet the criteria.

Why do mothers choose C-sections as an elective surgery? 

The global C-section rate has drastically increased in less than a generation. In 2000 C-sections accounted for 12% of all births; in 2015 this rate rose to 21%. In the United States, 1 in 3 babies are delivered via C-section. However, there’s much more to these statistics than mothers just wanting to avoid delivering a baby vaginally. In reality, only 3% of women elect to have the procedure because they are afraid of vaginal birth. 

What’s really going on?

The reason for the drastic rise in C-sections is actually perpetuated by healthcare providers. Patients trust their maternity care providers even though they may not have received a thorough explanation of risks and possible alternatives. According to the national Listening to Mothers survey, women may go through with recommended treatments even if they have little awareness of the extent to which their care and health outcomes are affected by practice variation, side effects, and other nonmedical factors. Thus, it is the providers making the recommendations that contribute most to this growing C-section epidemic. 

Health insurance companies put a lot of pressure on healthcare providers to work as “efficiently” as possible. Unfortunately, this leads to the practice of quantity over quality. The more patients the providers see and the more services they provide, the more money they make. C-sections are a much faster procedure to perform than vaginal deliveries, which makes C-sections especially convenient if the provider is paid the same amount for either procedure. There is even greater incentive for performing C-sections when hospitals are financially reimbursed more for cesarean birth rather than vaginal birth. Essentially, providers and hospitals are increasing their rates of C-sections for the sake of making profit. 

Healthcare providers may also show a preference for C-sections for the sake of their personal lifestyles. Now more than ever, providers seek and even expect a greater work-life balance than what was possible before. This usually makes them less willing to attend births at night and on weekends and holidays. Planned C-sections, especially on weekdays, are a convenient way for them to maintain that balance sometimes at the expense of their patients. While C-sections offer many benefits to a patient, an unnecessary operation could be harmful. 

What makes unnecessary C-sections so dangerous? 

Just like all other surgeries, a C-section carries many risks. 

    • Infection: The lining of the uterus may become infected.
    • Postpartum hemorrhage: Heavy bleeding during and after delivery.
    • Reactions to anesthesia: Most C-sections are done under regional anesthesia, which numbs only the lower part of your body. In an emergency, general anesthesia may be used. Adverse effects are possible for any type of anesthesia.
    • Blood clots: A blood clot may develop inside a deep vein. If the blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, the damage can be life-threatening.
    • Wound infection: The incision site may become infected. 
    • Unintended surgical injury: On rare occasions incisions may accidentally be made to surrounding organs.  

The mother is often at a higher risk of developing severe complications in future pregnancies after a C-section than a vaginal delivery. With each subsequent C-section, there is a higher risk of the placenta becoming abnormally attached to the wall of the uterus or the opening of the cervix. For mothers that attempt a VBAC, there is also a higher risk of the uterus rupturing if there is a tear along the scar line from a previous C-section.

The baby is also at higher risk for chronic medical conditions and diseases

  • Breathing problems, especially for babies in future pregnancies 
  • Childhood-onset diabetes 
  • Allergies with cold-like symptoms
  • Asthma

If it is not medically necessary, there is no need to put a mother and a baby at risk for these complications as well as extended hospital stays and a longer recovery period.

How can expecting parents navigate birth options?

While it is important to build a trusting relationship with the maternal healthcare provider, mothers should be wary of their intentions. The provider may be recommending the procedure to address a health concern. Although the provider is already legally required to share the risks and benefits of the procedure, make sure to also ask about the risks and benefits of an alternative vaginal birth. Another possible indicator of the provider’s intentions can be seen in the C-section rate of the hospital. You can check https://www.cesareanrates.org/ and https://www.leapfroggroup.org/ for information about your state’s C-section rates and the rates of many hospitals.

Feature Image: https://lafuk.tumblr.com/

Virtual Women’s Wellness: The Transition to Telehealth

Virtual Women’s Wellness: The Transition to Telehealth

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It has been over half a year since many countries first started taking public health measures to control the spread of COVID-19 and implementing new policies to manage the mass congregation of people, especially in public spaces. Excluding essential work, almost every aspect of life has been moved onto virtual platforms — education, business, social events, and even medicine. Still, doesn’t it seem a little ironic that we’re being discouraged to visit our healthcare providers in person? During a public health crisis? To alleviate some of the confusion, here’s a brief FAQ about telehealth. 

Virtual health appointments?! How does that even work?

Telemedicine, also known as distance medicine, is an emerging platform that makes healthcare accessible to patients through the use of technology. Appointments typically take place over a phone or video call with your provider. Some may even allow you to type in a live chat. You’ll also be able to meet with your primary care physician as well as clinical specialists such as counselors, physical therapists, dermatologists, urologists, etc.  Not all communities have access to these services in-person. While urban areas are concentrated with medical facilities and specialty clinics, people that live outside of the city may have to drive over an hour to see their specialist. Virtual meetings can fill the geographical gaps in healthcare distribution between regions of the country and beyond international boundaries. In the context of global health, it is always be possible for doctors to cross borders and treat communities in different countries, especially given the current travel restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Technological advances allow for instant communication between physicians and local health workers in these communities.

While the benefits of telehealth are undeniable, this system is not without its faults. One major caveat is the accessibility of technology itself. While telehealth sounds convenient for people with smartphones and computers, not everyone has a compatible electronic device or a stable connection to the internet. As of 2019, the Pew Research Center found that 90% of U.S. adults use the internet, but only about 73% of adults have high-speed broadband service at home. 17% of adults rely on smartphones as their primary means of online access but they do not have traditional home broadband service. On average, vulnerable populations are hit the hardest by these disparities. For families with annual household incomes below $30,000, the internet usage is closer to 82%. In rural areas, internet usage is about 85%. Fortunately, there has been a rising trend in internet accessibility for all populations over the past 20 years. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), telehealth improves healthcare quality, particularly in rural settings.   

Seeing a healthcare provider in person may put you at a greater risk for contracting COVID-19. If telehealth isn’t an option for you, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers safety guidelines for in-person visits. 

Despite any current disparities in the availability of technology, telehealth remains a frontrunner pandemic response. The goal of this new approach is to minimize the amount of people in clinics, diagnostic centers, and hospitals. After all, even though electronic devices can get viruses, at least it’s not COVID-19!

What makes telehealth so beneficial? 

Scheduling and time management

Waiting rooms simply don’t make sense! For in-person visits, you are expected to arrive for an appointment 15 minutes early but then you’re stuck in the waiting room for half an hour! Telehealth eliminates these unnecessary delays. Just like regular appointments, there are time slots you sign up for. However, healthcare providers are able to cut down on logistical but time consuming processes such as cleaning up examination rooms after every patient. You can expect to actually meet with your physician at the time you signed up for. 

One problem that healthcare providers face are patients that are “no-shows” for their in-person visits. There are many reasons that a patient may not be able to show up for their scheduled appointment due unavoidable conflicts. Telehealth alleviates many challenges posed by these circumstances. Canceling appointments is made a lot easier as well as the scheduling process for virtual appointments allows you more flexibility and compatibility with your lifestyle.

Access

It is important to stay informed of your health conditions and treatments. Sometimes your symptoms may worsen or your treatment may seem to be effective. You may forget how to perform the treatment regimen or the amount of medications you’re supposed to take are certain times of the day. Just listening to your healthcare provider talk about your treatment or reading a pamphlet about it is often not helpful. Telehealth allows you to access instructions for your treatment or information about your health condition. There are already existing hotlines that can connect you to healthcare professionals 24/7 if you have any concerns. Say goodbye to the alarming search results of WebMD!  

Cost 

Researchers are currently departing the true cost effectiveness of telehealth. Upfront costs are usually less expensive for virtual visits, averaging about $40-$80, compared to in-person visits, which cost over $100 more on average.  One investment for patients is an electronic device and a means of stable internet connection. However, there are other factors of telehealth that reduce costs for things like gas for transportation to a hospital or clinic and loss of productivity and income from missing work due to check-ups and treatments. Finally, a brief virtual consultation can save thousands of dollars by curtailing unnecessary in-person visits to an emergency department at the hospital.

What is the role of telehealth for women’s health and reproductive health? 

Just as any other consultation with a primary care physician or specialist, you can meet with an OB-GYN. Since women’s health is sometimes regarded more sensitively, telehealth in sexual reproductive care can be alarming to some people. These visits, however, are just as accommodating and vital as any other medical visit. 

These are health issues that can be diagnosed and treated online 

  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other vaginal infections
    • This may come as a surprise, but initial screenings for STDs/STIs and UTIs can actually be done virtually. If more than one infection is suspected, your healthcare provider may prescribe you with several medications to treat all/any at once. This is common practice even with in-person visits. 
    • Your healthcare provider will determine if you need to visit a laboratory for follow-up sampling to confirm a diagnosis 
    • There are already commercially available at-home tests for STDs/STIs, and your healthcare provider may be able to order laboratory-grade at-home sampling kits for other infections
  • Abnormal cervical mucus
  • Rashes, bumps, and other uncomfortable issues
    • It is always at your discretion whether or not to share pictures or videos of your condition. 
  • Abnormal bleeding
    • Spotting and irregular menstrual cycles can usually be treated without laboratory testing, even when you visit your healthcare provider in person
  • Hormone therapy
  • Birth control 

Here are several websites that offer online birth control (most don’t even require insurance!)

These health issues have recognizable signs and symptoms; descriptions of your condition may be enough for a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider may even recommend treatment with just over-the-counter drugs, which is more affordable than lab testing and prescribed medication. 

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), these are health issues that usually require in-person visits

  • Fever (unrelated to COVID-19)
  • Vaginal infection (unrelated to COVID-19) 
  • Severe vaginal bleeding 
  • Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy 
    • Pelvic pain
    • Abdominal pain 
    • Lower back pain 
  • Health issues due to a recent surgery or other invasive procedure 

Although telehealth offers flexible scheduling, you need to be seen by a healthcare provider right away for urgent issues. Seek care as soon as possible so that you can prevent worsening your symptoms.

How will screenings, preventative interventions, and maintenance of birth control be affected?  

Due dates for health maintenance procedures such as mammograms may not be seen as “essential” in-person health services, but it’s important to keep up with annual screenings. Still, waiting a few extra months is unlikely to be harmful. Similarly, contraceptives such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) may have a prescribed “expiration date.” However, there’s a grace period of up to about 6 months, so it may not be detrimental to your health if you have to wait a little longer than usual. Your healthcare provider will be able to provide you with the appropriate recommendations based on personal health factors such as age, pre-existing conditions, and health history.  

What about protection of privacy?

Although laying under the covers in the comfort of your own bed isn’t quite on par with a clinic, a virtual appointment is just like any experience that you have with your healthcare provider in person. Protection of your privacy is no different.

Bodily Autonomy?

I would like to preface this with some reassurance: you’re never going to be required to show any part of your body through photos or a video call against your will. There may already be policies put in place by clinics that prohibit sharing images of more private areas of your body. You’ll need to make an appointment to meet in person if a diagnosis cannot be made based on your description.

Health information

Doctor-patient confidentiality still applies. There are federal laws that protect your healthcare information, most notably the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). By law, you will always be provided with a document that lists these policies and a waiver that you must sign before you can even be seen by your healthcare provider. Your health information is also digitally encrypted for your protection.

Personal information

Telehealth appointments offer patients a new sense of discretion when seeking treatment for women’s health and reproductive health services. For many people it may be intimidating or embarrassing to seek treatment from an OB-GYN or healthcare professionals that work in the field of gynecology and sexual health. There are many valid reasons that you may want to keep your consultations and treatments private. 

Women’s health is often stigmatized when treatment is sought for any reason other than pregnancy. For example, one’s culture may not be accepting of reproductive health treatment because sexual practices are considered taboo.This discretion also protects transgender men and other members of the LGBTQ+ community from being outed if they choose not to do so themselves. Telehealth allows people to connect with healthcare providers that share the same background as them as well as offering them comfort and non-discriminatory treatment.

What are the implications of telehealth for the future? 

There’s really no telling how things will turn out after our lives gain more stability. Everything going on right now is unprecedented and nothing, even healthcare, will ever be the same. Technology is playing an increasingly important role in our lives, as it has been since the last major mass pandemic in 1918, over a century ago. Perhaps in the future, we’ll be offered more of an option between seeing our healthcare providers in person or online rather than being required to do the latter for the sake of our wellbeing. For now, I just hope everyone finds the means to stay safe and healthy.

Featured Image: The Isotope by Craig Pinto

The Ultimate Test: Urine for the News of Your Life

The Ultimate Test: Urine for the News of Your Life

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If you are physically able to conceive, there is always the possibility of becoming pregnant after engaging in heterosexual sex. Even if you use contraception, the effectiveness has its limits. Don’t be shy! If you can successfully buy condoms or get a prescription for birth control, purchasing and taking a pregnancy test shouldn’t be any different. After all, there’s only one way to find out!

How does a pregnancy test work? 

A pregnancy test detects the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your urine or blood. HCG is only produced if you’re pregnant. When a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus, this hormone is released.

You can take a pregnancy test in the comfort of your own home. This method is colloquially known as “peeing on a stick.” A chemical strip on the test stick detects the presence of HCG in your urine. There are inexpensive tests available in any pharmacy, drugstore, grocery store, or convenience store. Most home pregnancy tests cost anywhere from $8 to $15. Every pregnancy test is a little different. Make sure to read all of the instructions first and then follow the directions carefully. Some may require you to urinate in a container and dip the pregnancy test stick into it. For others, the pregnancy test stick must be held directly in a stream of urine. Typically you can get your results within a couple of minutes. An at-home pregnancy test has up to a 99% accuracy rate when it is used properly.

Another option would be to take a blood test at a clinic or medical office. A sample of your blood will be drawn and analyzed for the presence of HCG. Sometimes, healthcare providers use a test that measures the exact levels of HCG in the blood. This analysis has a much greater sensitivity to even low amounts of HCG. Problems with the pregnancy can be identified if there is a drastic change in HCG levels. IIt may be more reassuring to be tested in a professional setting, but keep in mind that it will be far more expensive than an at-home test. Additionally, it takes longer to receive your results.

When should I take a pregnancy test? 

You will get the most reliable results if you take a pregnancy test after you’ve missed your next period. If your periods are irregular or you have reason to believe you’re pregnant, wait until at least 14 days after having sex to take a test. You will not have measurable amounts of HCG in your blood or urine until then. At-home tests will vary, so take the test at the optimal time for that specific one. If you prefer to get your blood tested you must also consider the time delay to schedule an appointment with a physician. Depending on your insurance, you may even be required to see your primary care provider (PCP) before being referred to an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN). You must wait an average of 21.7 days for your first appointment with a PCP. For an appointment with an OB-GYN the wait time, on average, is 23.7 days if you are a new patient.

How do I interpret the results?

A positive result indicates that you’re pregnant. There are measurable amounts of HCG in your blood or urine. A negative result means that the test could not detect HCG in your blood or urine. This most likely means that you are not pregnant. Otherwise, you may have failed to follow the instructions on an at-home test. Did you take the test too soon? Did you check the expiration date? Did you dilute the urine by taking too many fluids before testing? There is no harm in testing yourself again!

However, there may be other factors that interfere with an accurate result.

Some medications may be responsible for a false-negative result:

  • Promethazine, used to treat certain allergies

  • Antihistamines

  • Parkinson’s disease medication

  • Sleeping tablets

  • Some antipsychotics, including chlorpromazine

  • Opioids, for instance, methadone

  • Tranquilizers

  • Anticonvulsants, including epilepsy treatments

  • Infertility medication

  • Diuretics

There are also extraneous causes for a false-positive result:

  • Ovarian cysts

  • Recent pregnancies

  • An early miscarriage soon after a fertilized egg implanted

  • An ectopic pregnancy

  • Gestational trophoblastic tumors

  • Menopause

  • A deficiency of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an important antibody of the immune system

What are my next steps?

Should you test positive, get in touch with a healthcare provider. If you used an at-home test, you may consider taking the test again to confirm your results before scheduling an appointment. Make sure to communicate your intentions — do you want to proceed with the pregnancy or terminate the pregnancy? Take as much time as you need to make your decision. From there, your healthcare provider will be able to provide you with the appropriate options and resources.

Featured Image: Laura Alejo

The Chemistry of Period Blood

The Chemistry of Period Blood

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Did somebody say chemistry?! Before you pull out your periodic tables in a panic, you’ll be relieved to know that the only thing “periodic” going on here is menstrual blood. I’m sure that’s still not necessarily a sight to see either. There’s a common misconception that period blood is dirty or toxic, and in some cultures it may even be considered impure. Contrary to that belief, the blood you menstruate is just as “clean” as the venous blood that comes from every other part of the body and it’s harmless as long as you don’t have any bloodborne diseases (pathogens aren’t picky when it comes to manifesting in bodily fluids). I mean think about it, this blood came from an organ that must be hygienic enough to potentially sustain the development of a fetus. Bottom line: it’s just blood.

…But is it really? Yes and no. Here’s a rough breakdown of what makes up menstrual blood. This discussion focuses on the microscopic components of menstrual blood, but we won’t really go into detail at the atomic level. 

Blood 

Shocker. Consider it a watered down version of the “real stuff.” It’s worth mentioning that there is an entire color spectrum of menstrual blood. Deep reds and browns just mean that the blood has taken a bit longer to leave the uterus and has oxidized. Brighter reds indicate that the blood is more fresh. Most of the time, there’s no need to be concerned about the color of your menstrual blood, but you can always get a second opinion from a medical professional if you’re worried. 

Endometrial lining

Your flow may be accompanied by viscous clumps of sloughed uterine tissue. This occurs when an unfertilized egg fails to implant during the menstrual cycle. These clots may be uncomfortable to pass, but they usually aren’t problematic. In fact, their presence is considered healthy.

Secretions from the vagina and cervix

It’s pretty intuitive that these fluids find their way out of your body in the same direction and at the same time as the flow of blood. The majority of these secretions are mostly made up of water and electrolytes such as sodium or potassium. This ionic solution helps keep the pH low and prevents foreign bacteria from flourishing. 

Bacteria 

There are bacteria that naturally accumulate around the time of your period because your vagina becomes a more moist environment. One thing to note is that you may become susceptible to infections such as bacterial vaginosis when there is an imbalance of these bacteria. This may clear up on its own and if it doesn’t, there are antibiotic treatments available. 

Here’s what menstrual blood does not contain.

Coagulating elements

Although there are clots made up of endometrial lining, the blood itself has a low viscosity. It stays liquid because it lacks the proteins hemoglobin, prothrombin, thrombin, and fibrinogen. Additionally, menstrual blood contains less iron and blood platelets than venous blood. 

Smelly business 

Think about it. When you bleed from a wound on your arm is there any odor? Hopefully the answer is no. Everyone that menstruates will have a unique natural scent to their blood with varying degrees of intensity. The majority of this can be attributed to bacteria in your vaginal environment and a dash of copper in the blood. A really strong odor likely indicates that the blood soaked up in a pad or tampon has been sitting for too long and needs to be disposed of and replaced. Don’t be too hard on your menstrual blood when it’s just trying to give you a gentle reminder to tend to your needs every once in a while.  

Note: There are actually very few comprehensive studies that have analyzed the complete biochemical components of menstrual discharge in statistical significance. In this blog, the chemistry was kept to a minimum. What’s important is that you learned what’s actually leaving your body every time you menstruate.

 

Art: middlehouse

 

Reasons I use OCP: Obvious Conventional Purposes

Reasons I use OCP: Obvious Conventional Purposes

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Quite the contrary, if I do say so myself. OCP actually stands for Oral Contraceptive Pill, commonly known as birth control or even the pill. Some people say with a negative connotation,  but it doesn’t seem fair for this diversely applicable medication to be stuck with such a misnomer. OCP’s do so much more than prevent pregnancies, even if it may not seem obvious. Here are some reasons why your physician might prescribe you the pill.

Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual periods) 

Blood. It’s inevitable. You can’t forgo menstruation without it, and if you can, you should definitely consult with your physician. The strength of flow varies depending on the person. Still, you may have reason to believe that your period is too strong to be normal (for example, you’re always needing to use maximum absorbance sanitary products). Ultimately, it’s your call whether or not you think the problem is significant enough to seek medical attention and diagnosis. This condition of abnormally heavy periods is twofold; not only does your menstruation uphold the fond nickname “Auntie Flow”, but you also become at risk for iron-deficiency anemia. 

Common sources of this condition include hormonal imbalance, hereditary factors, blood clotting disorders such as von Willebrand disease, and in some unfortunate cases, a severe disease. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor will offer possible treatments. It’s very likely and reasonable that he or she will recommend OCP. Birth control contains the hormone estrogen, which thickens the blood, thins the lining of the uterus, and promotes clotting, all of which work to lighten your flow. 

Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)

Part of approximately every month got me feelin’ some typa way. I just can’t contain myself when I experience, as most medical websites say, “nausea, emesis, diarrhea or constipation, distention of the abdominal area, and cephalgia.” Don’t get me wrong, menstrual cramps affect almost all people who menstruate. After all, this muscle constantly tenses up and relaxes. Unfortunately, the contractions can become so strong that the uterus presses against nearby blood vessels, temporarily cutting off oxygen supply and causing you pain.

A lot of the time, these symptoms can be relieved by taking over-the-counter drugs and practicing self care routines. But some genuinely have it worse than others. It goes far beyond the variation of pain tolerance among the population. How can we define “worse” (and all of those medical terms)? Extreme symptoms may include the urge to vomit, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, and headaches. 

If it’s unbearable enough that you’re unable to attend work/school, participate in activities, and just function as a whole, this is where OCP’s come into play. Since the medication prevents ovulation it also helps to ease the uterine contractions. 

Abnormal cycles 

No fancy medical term for this one. It can be really problematic and stressful whenever your periods are inconsistent. Not being able to predict whenever you need to carry around extra sanitary products, wear black pants, or avoid doing cartwheels can be super nerve-wracking. Pregnancy scares are definitely emotionally taxing as well. We could all use a little more consistency in our lives. During a check-up appointment, your medical history is updated, including information about the first day of your most recent period. This could be a good opportunity to mention your concerns if you don’t want to be so forward about it to your general practitioner. 

OCP contains estrogen and progestin, the same hormones organically produced by the ovaries. Taking the pill everyday will regulate your menstrual cycle by mimicking the release of the hormones with a more ideal timing. Remember to take your birth control consistently or you’ll disturb this process and end up where you started. 

Acne vulgaris (pimples and face blemishes) 

I would like to start this section off by saying that you are beautiful no matter how you look. It hurts knowing that there is almost always something that you dislike about your appearance. If you’re confident in yourself and embrace every aspect of yourself regardless of appearance, you deserve it and I hope you never stop feeling that way. 

Still, I don’t know a single person that would wish acne upon themselves. Luckily, the cosmetics and skincare industry is booming right now. There are so many cleansers, toners, exfoliators, moisturizers, serums, ointments, face masks, and a myriad of other products at your disposal. It’s up to you to figure out what works for you specifically. Except you may not ever get to that point. You know you’re doomed when you can’t even remedy your acne with those overpriced products and regimens endorsed by influencers and celebrities. If it gets to the point that those ill-informed self care threads on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram don’t even work, you might find yourself thinking it’s time to give up and accept your fate.. At this point, you’re left with drinking 8 cups of water a day, perhaps from a literal holy grail. 

It’s so frustrating when people tell you “aLL yOu HAvE tO Do iS WaSH yOUr fACe!!!” Right… I’m sure you’ve never thought of that before. Before you go on blaming yourself for your inadequate self maintenance, please consider that the cause of those stubborn blemishes may be hiding below the surface of the skin. One culprit is hormone imbalance. The same hormones in OCP’s that are used to treat the other issues already discussed will help in regulating acne. For severe cases of acne, you may be put on another medication called Accutane®, generically known as Isotretinoin. Birth control is essential to the course of treatment; it must be taken in conjunction with Accutane® in order to prevent severe, life-threatening birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Remember that acne is far more than skin-deep, and there are plenty of solutions for everyone.

Coitus/Copulation (SEX!!) 

I mean it’s called birth control for a reason. Everyone is entitled to decide how they want to approach  family planning. If you’re considering going on birth control for the purposes of avoiding pregnancy while engaging in sexual activities, that’s enough of a reason. Sexual shame is a real thing, especially with the current social climate and stigmas regarding literally anything that even remotely has to do with a woman taking agency over her body (but that’s a conversation for another time….). If you engage in intercourse with intentions other than reproduction you shouldn’t have to justify it with any of the other benefits of taking OCP’s. 

I’ll finish on this note: any reason to go on the pill is a valid one. I know some people that take birth control for every single reason discussed in this post (me, I’m that person). My goal is to spread a little more awareness about the wide applicability of this medication. Of course, there are far more reproductive conditions that can be alleviated by taking it. I’ve only chosen a couple conditions that tend to be the most relatable to my peers. Always consult with your physician to get their professional medical opinion and make sure that you’re well informed about how OCP’s affect your body before making the decision to go on the pill. Hopefully this post made the purposes of birth control a little more obvious to you.

 

Art by Alessandra Olanow